5 Minute Business Spotlight with Ann Corrigan

Ann Corrigan is founder of Clarity Family Law, a specialist family law firm in Gerrards Cross

Sum up your business in a sentence:Clarity Family Law is a specialist legal practice based in Gerrards Cross – offering a full family law service and dealing with divorce, children issues and financial settlements.

What sets you apart from others?We are a small, accessible niche firm with an open door policy. We’re very approachable and take time to understand the client’s needs. We’re also the only specialist family law firm in south Bucks. We do nothing else.

What did you do before setting up your business and why did you set it up?I’ve worked as a specialist family lawyer for top law firms – and set up my own business when we moved to Chalfont St Giles.

What do you enjoy most about your job?I often get testimonials from clients saying they felt very supported by us during a difficult time in their lives. Divorce can be a very isolating and overwhelming experience and I enjoy being there for them and helping them through the minefield of issues they have to deal with.I have natural empathy with people – I understand what they’re going through.

What do you find most difficult about your job?I have to work within the confines of the law and sometimes the law can appear to be unfair. But I can’t change that – I don’t have a magic wand.

Who is your typical client?I don’t have a typical client – people of all ages and all walks of life suffer relationship breakdown. One month I might be acting for an 18-year-old who doesn’t have access to his or her child and the next month for someone who’d been married for 50 years and suddenly faces divorce.

A few words of advice to people facing divorceStay calm, look after yourself and get professional advice at an early stage.

What do you love most about where you live?I love the community feel of Chalfont St Giles, where I live, and the fact that it takes me only five minutes to get home from my office in Gerrards Cross!

What is your favourite book?I’m a sucker for a good romance – Erica James is my current favourite. I like real life stories, no science fiction for me.

What are your hobbies?I enjoy travelling – Kenya is one of my favourite destinations – I’ve been there three times.